this is bbc news broadcasting in the uk and around the globe i'm luxmy gopal. our top stories... the vatican has announced the death of pope benedict xvi , at the age of 95, almost a decade after he stood down because of ill health. pope benedict led the catholic church for less than eight years until, in 2013, he became the first pope in 600 years to resign. this is a live view of the vatican, where the former pope has lived since 2013. the world health organization meets chinese officials to discuss how to slow the coronavirus surge — after beijing dropped its zero covid policy. a winter warning from nhs bosses in wales — they say health services are experiencing demand like never seen before,

and urge people to do what they can to help. palestinian authories welcome a vote by the un general assembly to ask the international court ofjustice to give a legal opinion on the israeli occupation of palestinian territories. hello and welcome to bbc news. let's start with some breaking news. the vatican has announced the death of pope benedict xvi at the age of 95. his health had been worsening in recent weeks. benedict served as head of the roman catholic church for eight years until 2013, when he became the first pope in 600 years to announce his retirement. he was german by birth, and was known for his conservative

theological outlook. a statement read by matteo bruni, here's our religon editor, aleem maqbool. cerebral by character, benedict was a prolific author and more at home with scholarship than pastoral work. he led the world's catholics for eight years and then abruptly resigned, the first pope to do so in 600 years. joseph ratzinger was born in southern germany. he was just six when the nazis swept into power. his parents were hostile to the regime, and though their son entered junior seminary in 1939, he was forced to join the hitler youth just two years later. he and his brother george were

ordained on the same day in 1951. george became a parish priest, joseph chose a quite different kind of ministry. first, a doctorate, appointments at prestigious universities and then the vatican. a cardinal by his early 50s, an ailing popejohn paul ii made him head of the sacred congregation for the doctrine of faith, formally the roman inquisition. there he upheld traditional catholic teaching on abortion, contraception and homosexuality. he even spoke against rock music and the harry potter books. whenjohn paul died in april 2005, he was one of the church's longest serving cardinals and presided at the funeral. his homily, based onjesus�* instruction, follow me, proved prophetic.

afterjust four ballots, white smoke from the sistine chapel announced cardinal ratzinger�*s election. the oldest pope for 275 years. as pope benedict xvi, he sought to re evangelize the west. it was an attempt to roll back the advance of secularism in europe and north america. but in it lay an acknowledgement of the church's declining influence in its traditional heartlands. but he also sparked controversy in 2006 when during a lecture he gave in germany, he quoted criticism of islam by a 14th century christian leader and appeared to link the religion with jihad and holy war. there were violent protests in several muslim countries. the pope apologized and made a point of setting up the first catholic muslim forum.

he seemed chastened by the experience, and on visits like this one to britain, benedict exuded pastoral warmth and warned against marginalization of religion. i cannot but voice my concern at the increasing marginalisation of religion, particularly of christianity, that is taking place in some quarters, even in nations which place a great emphasis on tolerance. but back in rome, the church was beginning to confront the scandal of sexual abuse by priests around the world. he was forced to deny that he'd played any role in covering up abuse. but the cases continued to mount. he later acknowledged he'd made mistakes in handling the matter. in february 2013, he shocked the world, announcing he would resign at the end of the month, citing

age and failing health. the election of his successor, pope francis, represented a break with much of what benedict had stood for. the challenge was to find a leader who could close the widening gap between a doctrinally conservative vatican and the church worldwide. benedict bequeathed to his successor the challenges that so fatigued him, the scandal of child sexual abuse, and diminishing congregations in the west. pope benedict upheld the creeds of the church and taught them with conviction. he died as he lived, thinking and writing about how to defend and advance those creeds in an increasingly secular world. this is a live shot of the vatican — you can see st peter's square and st peter's basilica — where no doubt people will be

gathering to pay their respects, following news that former pope benedict has died aged 95. i'm joined now by hannah brockhaus from catholic news agency. we from catholic news agency. know he had been illf and we know he had been ill for a while and his health had been ailing, but no doubt it will be a significant moment for people around the world to pose? £31 moment for people around the world to ose? . ., , moment for people around the world to ose? , �* . to pose? of course, pope benedict xvi was beloved _ to pose? of course, pope benedict xvi was beloved by _ to pose? of course, pope benedict xvi was beloved by many - to pose? of course, pope benedict xvi was beloved by many around . to pose? of course, pope benedict i xvi was beloved by many around the world, we saw that in the last few days at the outpouring on social media and other places of prayers and love for him in what we were

expecting to be his final hours. but in old age, it is never quite sure, it is never quite certain when it might happen. so the news coming this morning could shock many people. this morning could shock many --eole. ., ., , this morning could shock many --eole. ., �* j, people. the former pope benedict's lena , people. the former pope benedict's legacy. during _ people. the former pope benedict's legacy. during his _ people. the former pope benedict's legacy, during his time _ people. the former pope benedict's legacy, during his time there - people. the former pope benedict's legacy, during his time there were l legacy, during his time there were many unprecedented, went there? we understand from his biographer he said it was the first time in the church's 2000 year history that a sitting pope will have to bury his predecessor?— sitting pope will have to bury his redecessor? , ., _, , predecessor? yes, of course. there has been a — predecessor? yes, of course. there has been a lot _ predecessor? yes, of course. there has been a lot of— predecessor? yes, of course. there has been a lot of speculation - predecessor? yes, of course. there has been a lot of speculation about| has been a lot of speculation about what will happen. we are still waiting to hear more from the vatican at the moment about what this former pope's funeral will look like, where he will be buried, what the next steps will be. there is a very laid out, very detailed protocol about the death of a pope

but this is a little bit unknown. 0ne but this is a little bit unknown. one of the tributes we have just had its from cardinal vincent nichols. he said benedict was one of the great theologians of the 20th century. what do you see as his lasting legacy?— century. what do you see as his lasting legacy? there is no denying he was very. _ lasting legacy? there is no denying he was very. very _ lasting legacy? there is no denying he was very, very important - he was very, very important theologian and even in these last days, but even during his retirement, his books, his writings continue to be read over and over again, to be studied. people will remember him for that, they will remember him for that, they will remember him for this period as well, i believe. this new precedent in a way that he has said that popes can resign and they can retire and we will see now going forward what people recall as people continue to

pay tribute to him. {131 people recall as people continue to pay tribute to him.— pay tribute to him. of course, his time was not _ pay tribute to him. of course, his time was not without _ pay tribute to him. of course, his time was not without controversy j pay tribute to him. of course, his - time was not without controversy and for much of his papacy, the catholic church did face allegations and legal claims and official reports and the former pope himself acknowledged errors had been made in the handling of abuse cases. do you think that is something we must also bearin think that is something we must also bear in mind and take into account when looking at his legacy? of course, it is looking at his theological contributions, but also it cannot be denied there was this overshadowing some of his time? yes. overshadowing some of his time? yes, of course the — overshadowing some of his time? yes, of course the cath _ overshadowing some of his time? yes, of course the cath -- _ overshadowing some of his time? is: of course the cath —— catholic church has got to reckon with the scourge of sexual abuse. although pope benedict xvi did acknowledge

there were some mistakes that might have been made, he was one of the first to also tackle this issue. he was one of the first to take serious action in the vatican against priests and against abusers. 0f priests and against abusers. of course, this cannot be ignored, or even look at this part of his legacy as well. it is important we look at the entire legacy. where mistakes might have been made, but also where goode was done. this might have been made, but also where goode was done.— goode was done. as you mentioned, there is a lot — goode was done. as you mentioned, there is a lot we _ goode was done. as you mentioned, there is a lot we don't _ goode was done. as you mentioned, there is a lot we don't know, - goode was done. as you mentioned, there is a lot we don't know, we - goode was done. as you mentioned, there is a lot we don't know, we are | there is a lot we don't know, we are still awaiting details of what may come. the vatican has said it may issue those in due course. what we do know is former pope benedict's body will lie in state from monday in st peter's basilica. but there is a question of how we go about this and what might happen, given the unprecedented nature of this? fit

unprecedented nature of this? of course, and pope benedict xvi left behind what his own wishes might be. we wait to see what he wished to take place and of course what his successor, pope francis, the sitting pope, what he has in mind as well, what he thinks should happen. we are seeinu what he thinks should happen. we are seeing alongside _ what he thinks should happen. we are seeing alongside your _ what he thinks should happen. we are seeing alongside your image, - what he thinks should happen. we are seeing alongside your image, people | seeing alongside your image, people at home will see on the screen, live images continuing from st peter's square, where you can see st peter's basilica. we can see people gathering and we know that pope benedict's body will lie in state from monday, what memory, what do you think people, ordinary people, catholic or otherwise will remember former pope benedict for? i catholic or otherwise will remember former pope benedict for?- former pope benedict for? i think ordinary catholics _ former pope benedict for? i think ordinary catholics will— former pope benedict for? i think ordinary catholics will have - former pope benedict for? i think ordinary catholics will have a - former pope benedict for? i thinkl ordinary catholics will have a great affection for even just his gentleness. maybe they never met him or saw him in person but watching

him in the media, the news, photos, videos during his time as pope, a lot of peoplejust videos during his time as pope, a lot of people just noticed he was a fairly quiet, gentle man. he had an affection for cats, music. there are affection for cats, music. there are a lot of those human qualities that send out, because the figure of a pope is important and can be set apart from the rest of us, knowing he also had these human characteristics, together with his great intellect, i think really makes people feel an affection for him. it makes people feel an affection for him. , , , ., ., him. it is interesting you mentioned his gentleness. _ him. it is interesting you mentioned his gentleness, because _ him. it is interesting you mentioned his gentleness, because that - him. it is interesting you mentioned his gentleness, because that is - his gentleness, because that is something cardinal vincent nichols mentioned as well in the tribute that has just come through from him in the past few minutes. he says, we saw his courtesy, his gentleness, the perceptiveness of his mind and the perceptiveness of his mind and the openness of his welcome. he was

talking about when the former pope visited the uk. yes, if very much resonate with what you are saying. thank you so much for taking the time to speak to us and for your words. let's speak now tojohn allen, editor of crux who specialise in coverage of the vatican and the catholic church. he has met pope benedict xv1 and written two books about him. thank you so much, john, forjoining us. first of all, can i get your thoughts on the legacy pope bennett it leaves behind? the thoughts on the legacy pope bennett it leaves behind?— it leaves behind? the “ournalist side of me * it leaves behind? the “ournalist side of me says, _ it leaves behind? the “ournalist side of me says, the h it leaves behind? the journalist side of me says, the legacy - it leaves behind? the journalist side of me says, the legacy of. it leaves behind? the journalist i side of me says, the legacy of any public figure is always in the eye of the beholder. i think he will be seen as a great hero who stood for the truth in catholic teaching. more

liberal catholics might see him as an unfortunate figure is sort of delayed or tried to slow down reforms and modernisations unleashed by the vatican council in the 1960s that they would see is coming to fruition under the current pope, pope francis. but some survivors of the clerical sex abuse scandals will remember benedict as the public face of what they saw as denial and cover—up. 0thers of what they saw as denial and cover—up. others will remember him as the first pope to issue innate a process of reform. it is a complicated business. i have covered three popes and known them personally. john paul ii, pope benedict xvi and francis and each has been a fascinating figure. i can say for sure that on a personal level, benedict was by far the most shy, the most humble, the most sort

of self—deprecating and gentlest of the three. i don't know that i have ever known a public figure where the disjunction between his public reputation, this draconian, authoritarian, aloof figure and the private man that those of us knew him personally. i have never known anybody for whom the disjunction was quite sharp as it was with benedict xvi. for me, his legacy will be the legacy of a man who was tragically misunderstood.— misunderstood. john, it is interesting _ misunderstood. john, it is interesting because - misunderstood. john, it is interesting because the i misunderstood. john, it is i interesting because the word dimension is one that has been echoed by others, talking about his gentleness. hannah from the catholic news agency speaking earlier also mentioned that. that is the word that stands out in the tribute that has been paid to the former pope by

cardinal vincent nichols, head of the roman catholic church in england and wales, talking about his gentleness. it does seem to be one of the standout qualities people have mentioned. you also talked about it being a complex situation earlier when looking at his legacy. that also relates to what is due to happen now. this is also an unprecedented situation with a living pope having to bury his predecessor?— living pope having to bury his redecessor? , . , ., ., ., predecessor? yes. when you have an institution with _ predecessor? yes. when you have an institution with more _ predecessor? yes. when you have an institution with more than _ predecessor? yes. when you have an institution with more than 2000 - institution with more than 2000 years of history, like the catholic church, you don't get a chance to use the word unprecedented very often. but it applies here. it is absolutely uncharted territory. we have never had a situation before where a retired pope step down, not under pressure but simply because he felt his time had come. then spent the next decade living in the

vatican, peacefully transferred power to his successor. and now his successor has to decide what kind of sendoff this pope is going to get. we presume it is not going to quite be the funeral that are sitting pope would get. we presume he will not have, for instance, the tradition nine days of mourning. but it is certainly going to be well beyond what say a cardinal who passes on would get. exactly how this will play out, we don't know. all we know for now is that beginning monday morning the emeritus pope's body will be on display in st peter's basilica so people can pay their respects. basilica so people can pay their resects. ,, ., basilica so people can pay their resects. ,, . , ., ., respects. state with us for a moment. — respects. state with us for a moment, because _ respects. state with us for a moment, because we - respects. state with us for a moment, because we are i respects. state with us for a l moment, because we are now respects. state with us for a - moment, because we are now going respects. state with us for a _ moment, because we are now going to go live to st peter's square and we are going to speak to our europe correspondent, bethany bell. we were

just talking about uncharted waters, how unprecedented the situation is? yes, we were speaking yesterday to the biographer of former pope benedict. who said this is the first time in _ benedict. who said this is the first time in the — benedict. who said this is the first time in the 2000 year old history of the church_ time in the 2000 year old history of the church that are sitting pope, francis, — the church that are sitting pope, francis, will have to bury his predecessor. as we heard, we don't have _ predecessor. as we heard, we don't have the _ predecessor. as we heard, we don't have the details as to how the funeral— have the details as to how the funeral will exactly take place. but this is— funeral will exactly take place. but this is very. — funeral will exactly take place. but this is very, very new territory for the church — this is very, very new territory for the church. we heard as well the body _ the church. we heard as well the body will — the church. we heard as well the body will be in st peter's basilica for people to come and pay their respects— for people to come and pay their respects to former pope benedict. but exactly how the funeral will take place is very, very interesting. this is a point for the church_ interesting. this is a point for the church where it potentially opens the way — church where it potentially opens

the way for other popes to retire in future _ the way for other popes to retire in future. again, we were speaking to the biographer of benedict and he was saying it could be that some catholics — was saying it could be that some catholics will see the fact that a pope _ catholics will see the fact that a pope like — catholics will see the fact that a pope like benedict did retire, or something that should never happen agaih _ something that should never happen again. 0thers something that should never happen again. others will say this has established a precedent and it could be that— established a precedent and it could be that pope francis may eventually, in the _ be that pope francis may eventually, in the fullness of time, also decide to retire _ in the fullness of time, also decide to retire 50— in the fullness of time, also decide to retire. so a very interesting point — to retire. so a very interesting point to— to retire. so a very interesting point to see how the church will continue — point to see how the church will continue to handle this over the next _ continue to handle this over the next few— continue to handle this over the next few days.— continue to handle this over the next few da s. �* ., , .. , next few days. bethany, we can see it is a beautiful— next few days. bethany, we can see it is a beautiful day _ next few days. bethany, we can see it is a beautiful day at _ next few days. bethany, we can see it is a beautiful day at st _ next few days. bethany, we can see it is a beautiful day at st peter's - it is a beautiful day at st peter's square behind you. people are already starting to gather there. as this news reaches people, what has the reaction been?— this news reaches people, what has the reaction been? there has been a lot of concern _ the reaction been? there has been a lot of concern about _ the reaction been? there has been a lot of concern about the _ the reaction been? there has been a lot of concern about the health - the reaction been? there has been a lot of concern about the health of. lot of concern about the health of pope _ lot of concern about the health of pope benedict for some time. the last pictures that were shown of him

come _ last pictures that were shown of him come from _ last pictures that were shown of him come from early december and they showed _ come from early december and they showed him looking extremely frail. and just _ showed him looking extremely frail. and just a _ showed him looking extremely frail. and just a few days ago pope francis mentioned _ and just a few days ago pope francis mentioned that the end of his general— mentioned that the end of his general audience, mentioned that the end of his generalaudience, his health, general audience, his health, benedict's generalaudience, his health, benedict's health had deteriorated and he _ benedict's health had deteriorated and he appealed for people from around _ and he appealed for people from around the world to pray for benedict. in francis' words, to sustain— benedict. in francis' words, to sustain him in his witness to the church— sustain him in his witness to the church until _ sustain him in his witness to the church until the end. so there was a sense _ church until the end. so there was a sense here — church until the end. so there was a sense here that the death could be imminent — sense here that the death could be imminent. now we have had the imminent— imminent. now we have had the imminent that he died at 9.34 this morning _ imminent that he died at 9.34 this morning in— imminent that he died at 9.34 this morning in the monastery, in the vatican— morning in the monastery, in the vatican where he has been living since _ vatican where he has been living since his— vatican where he has been living since his retirement. a place pope francis— since his retirement. a place pope francis has— since his retirement. a place pope francis has visited him frequently and we _ francis has visited him frequently and we know pope francis has visited him this— and we know pope francis has visited him this week. we were told yesterday by the vatican that benedict took part in a mass yesterday, but certainly his health than deteriorated and the news came

this morning of his death.— this morning of his death. bethany, when we talk _ this morning of his death. bethany, when we talk about _ this morning of his death. bethany, when we talk about his _ this morning of his death. bethany, when we talk about his legacy - this morning of his death. bethany, when we talk about his legacy it - when we talk about his legacy it can't be avoided, canit, talking about how much of that was plagued by the allegations facing the catholic church, report into decades of child abuse by priests and the former pope himself acknowledged errors had been made in the handling of abuse cases when he was archbishop of munich between 1987... that there is this balance and complexity?— that there is this balance and comlexi ? ~ , ,., complexity? absolutely, in terms of his handling — complexity? absolutely, in terms of his handling of— complexity? absolutely, in terms of his handling of the _ complexity? absolutely, in terms of his handling of the sexual _ complexity? absolutely, in terms of his handling of the sexual abuse - his handling of the sexual abuse scandal— his handling of the sexual abuse scandal involving priests around the world _ scandal involving priests around the world as _ scandal involving priests around the world. as you say, he did say that errors— world. as you say, he did say that errors had — world. as you say, he did say that errors had been made in the way that

was handled. also controversy in other— was handled. also controversy in other parts — was handled. also controversy in other parts of his legacy as well. former— other parts of his legacy as well. former pope benedict espoused conservative traditional catholic doctrines, speaking out against abortion, — doctrines, speaking out against abortion, against contraception and homosexuality. the choice of francis after benedict's resignation was seen _ after benedict's resignation was seen by— after benedict's resignation was seen by many as the church trying to espouse _ seen by many as the church trying to espouse a _ seen by many as the church trying to espouse a more liberal approach and a way— espouse a more liberal approach and a way of— espouse a more liberal approach and a way of trying to perhaps connect the traditional catholic doctrine of the traditional catholic doctrine of the church— the traditional catholic doctrine of the church with the feelings of other— the church with the feelings of other parts of the world. it is a complex— other parts of the world. it is a complex legacy. benedict was a short papacy. _ complex legacy. benedict was a short papacy, comparatively speaking. it is interesting he was pope for almost — is interesting he was pope for almost eight years and he has been retired _ almost eight years and he has been retired for— almost eight years and he has been retired for much longer than that. it retired for much longer than that.

it has _ retired for much longer than that. it has been — retired for much longer than that. it has been a delicate path since theh _ it has been a delicate path since then. because of the difference in approach — then. because of the difference in approach between former pope benedict and pope francis, sometimes the presence of a former pope in the vatican— the presence of a former pope in the vatican has— the presence of a former pope in the vatican has been seen as potentially divisive _ vatican has been seen as potentially divisive at — vatican has been seen as potentially divisive. at the catholics would say it is a _ divisive. at the catholics would say it is a way— divisive. at the catholics would say it is a way of— divisive. at the catholics would say it is a way of trying to balance these — it is a way of trying to balance these two _ it is a way of trying to balance these two parts of the church, the more _ these two parts of the church, the more conservative side and the more liberal— more conservative side and the more liberal side — more conservative side and the more liberal side-— liberal side. bethany, as he mentioned _ liberal side. bethany, as he mentioned earlier - liberal side. bethany, as he mentioned earlier we - liberal side. bethany, as he mentioned earlier we are i liberal side. bethany, as he l mentioned earlier we are not liberal side. bethany, as he - mentioned earlier we are not sure quite what happens next. details are still to be released from the vatican. but what might we expect in terms of some of the considerations the vatican will make in the coming days? we the vatican will make in the coming da s? ~ , ., ., the vatican will make in the coming da s? ., days? we understand that back in 2018, pope _ days? we understand that back in 2018, pope francis— days? we understand that back in 2018, pope francis did _ days? we understand that back in 2018, pope francis did look - days? we understand that back in 2018, pope francis did look into l 2018, pope francis did look into this question of a funeral for benedict. we understand that benedict. we understand that benedict may have expressed a wish to be buried in the crypt near the

former— to be buried in the crypt near the former burial site of pope john paul ii. former burial site of pope john paul it that _ former burial site of pope john paul it that is _ former burial site of pope john paul ii. that is something that will be taken _ ii. that is something that will be taken into— ii. that is something that will be taken into account. they also have to take _ taken into account. they also have to take into — taken into account. they also have to take into account that benedict was the _ to take into account that benedict was the head of the church and there will be _ was the head of the church and there will be elements to his funeral which — will be elements to his funeral which have to reflect his position as head — which have to reflect his position as head of— which have to reflect his position as head of state. so we will have this period — as head of state. so we will have this period as of the 2nd ofjanuary where _ this period as of the 2nd ofjanuary where people will be able to go to the basilica to pay their respects. and that — the basilica to pay their respects. and that will be ordinary catholics, but also _ and that will be ordinary catholics, but also very likely that will be diplomats, people who have been sent here to _ diplomats, people who have been sent here to the _ diplomats, people who have been sent here to the holy see he will also be paying _ here to the holy see he will also be paying their respects to benedict as the former leader of the church. bethany, — the former leader of the church. bethany, thank you. we will return to you later, no doubt. bethany bell live at st peter's basilica. we can

see another shot of the live scenes at st peter's basilica at st peter's square. sojust at st peter's basilica at st peter's square. so just to at st peter's basilica at st peter's square. sojust to recap at st peter's basilica at st peter's square. so just to recap the at st peter's basilica at st peter's square. sojust to recap the news the former pope benedict has died. hello. with flooding still an issue in some parts of the country and more rain expected a time to the day, if you are on the move be prepared, they could be further disruption. keep up with the latest travel news and your bbc local radio station is there. some of the wettest conditions this afternoon to england and wales, ticky south—west england and wales, ticky south—west england and wales, ticky south—west england and south—west wales, pushing from west to east. try for northern, brighterfor northern northern, brighter for northern ireland. northern, brighterfor northern ireland. a chilly day in scotland, northern scotland will be fed the snow flurries barely above freezing, when we could have a mild 15 degrees across south—east england. rain to start the evening clears away to showers. another batch of heavy rain works northwards. by the time we get

to midnight, the wind is picking up on quite a blustery end to the year across southern and western parts with gales and places. but there will be starry skies, one or two showers a row. newcastle, carlisle, belfast, some heavy rain here. in edinburgh, you could see rain and sleet putting in and a pretty cold feel across much of scotland with ice developing in northern areas. just one or two wintry showers. temperature plummeting here, the rain pushing northwards into the cold air. more significant snowfall across the hills into low level in northern and central scotland later. temperatures get get down to minus seven and we will continue to see clear skies in the south east corner. into the brand—new year, bit of sunshine, more than today but some showers, especially in the north and west. showers tomorrow in northern ireland and plenty of cloud for scotland with outbreaks of rain. but also some sleet and snow in the north. another chilly day here and

another pretty mild one for the south. into monday after a cold start, frosty start, probably a better day to get out and about. tense and lingering frog across the solway firth, parts of south—west and western scotland. a few showers into four west scotland but most of you will brighten up to sunny spells and temperatures closer to the early january norm. as we go through the first week of 2023, more areas of low pressure will spin across the north, bringing about rain at times and gusty winds as well. but equally there will be drier and brighter moments. that is how it is looking. hgppy moments. that is how it is looking. happy hogmanay.

this is bbc world news, the headlines: the vatican has announced the death of pope benedict xvi at the age of 95, almost a decade after he stood down because of ill health. his body will lie in state from monday in st peter's basilica. pope benedict led the catholic church for less than eight years until, in 2013, he became the first pope in 600 years to resign. he spent the last nine years living in the vatican. the world health organization meets chinese officials to discuss how to slow the coronavirus surge — after beijing dropped its zero covid policy. the who says chinese officials must share more real—time information on covid in the country.

a winter warning from nhs bosses in wales —